As we head into the second week of December, the NFL playoff picture comes into focus with some key match-ups. On Thursday, Dec 9, the Colts (6-6) and Titans (5-7) battle to stay alive in the AFC South playoff race. Sunday football games include the Steelers (9-3) versus Bears (9-3) and Jaguars (7-5) versus the Raiders (6-6). NFL Monday night football for week 14 features the Ravens (8-4) against the Texans (5-7) in Houston.

Here is the complete NFL schedule and spreads for Week 14.   See our NFL expert picks and NFL pick Of The Week. Watch as the NFL playoff picture emerges:

NFL WEEK 14 SCHEDULE AND SPREADS
FAVORITE	SPREAD	UNDERDOG	OVER/UNDER	OUR PICK
THURSDAY, DEC 9, 2010
Colts	3	TITANS	46.5	Colts
SUNDAY, DEC 12, 2010
Giants	1	VIKINGS	43	Giants
JETS	5.5	Dolphins	41	Jets
JAGUARS	4.5	Raiders	43	Jaguars
STEELERS	9	Bengals	39.5	Steelers
Patriots	3	BEARS	41	Patriots
BILLS	1.5	Browns	40.5	Browns
Packers	7	LIONS	47	Packers
Falcons	7.5	PANTHERS	42	Panthers
Buccaneers	2.5	REDSKINS	41	Buccaneers
SAINTS	9	Rams	47	Rams
49ERS	4.5	Seahawks	41.5	Seahawks
Broncos	5.5	CARDINALS	42.5	Broncos
CHARGERS	7	Chiefs	46.5	Chargers
Eagles	3.5	COWBOYS	50.5	Cowboys
MONDAY, DEC 13, 2010
Ravens	3	TEXANS	45.5	Ravens

Our NFL Pick Of The Week

Home Team in CAPS

The NFL Thursday night game of the week heads to Nashville for an AFC South match-up between the Indianapolis Colts (6-6) and Tennessee Titans (5-7).

The Indianapolis Colts (6-6) are hoping to avoid their first four game losing streak in 9 years. Indianapolis lead the division for the first nine weeks before losing three straight. The Colts are still very much alive in the 2010 NFL playoff picture and, more importantly, control their own destiny. With 4 games remaining, they play two against their AFC South rivals the Titans, and one against the current division leader Jacksonville Jaguars. In the event of a tie with Jacksonville, the Colts would win the tiebreaker and head to the NFL playoffs as the AFC South division champions.

The Titans could also make the playoffs by winning their final four games, but also need outside help. Tennessee started out strong 5-2 before losing five in a row. Injuries and in-fighting have sent the Titans spiraling.

The Titans have lost their last three games against the Colts, with Manning passing for five touchdowns and one interception.

Over the last three weeks Peyton Manning has 11 interceptions, and has thrown four in each of his last two games. In last week’s OT loss to the Cowboys (38-35), two were returned for touchdowns and other for the game winning field goal.

The Colts woes stem from their inability to run to ball. They are averaging just over 54 yards per game over their last 5 games and have had to rely on the passing game to score points. However, the Colts may have some better results against the Titans, who have 4 defensive players who are questionable for game time.   Last week the Titans gave up 258 yards to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kerry Collins will start for the Titans and WR Kenny Britt has been activated after being out for over a month with a hamstring injury.

Many analysts and football experts would pick the home team. But our analysis points to the Colts as our NFL expert pick of the week.

COLTS Vs. TITANS: GAME DAY PARTICULARS
Visitors	Indianapolis Colts(6-6)
Home	Tennessee Titans (5-7)
When	Thursday, Dec 9 8:20 PM EST
Where	LP Field
TV COVERAGE	NFL Network
GAME DAY FORECAST	Temp: 34º Prec: 0%
Favorite	COLTS -3
Under/Over	46.5

COLTS – TITANS OFFENSE/DEFENSE AVERAGES

COLTS OFFENSE		TITANS DEFENSE
Rush Yds/Gms	79.1 32nd	Rush Yds/Gms	123.4 22nd
Pass Yds/Gms	303.3 1st	Pass Yds/Gms	238.7 23rd
Tot Yds/Gms	382.4 5th	Tot Yds/Gms	362.1 4th
TITANS OFFENSE		COLTS DEFENSE
Rush Yds/Gms	112.6 12th	Rush Yds/Gms	142.8 29th
Pass Yds/Gms	179.0 31st	Pass Yds/Gms	200.0 4th
Tot Yds/Gms	291.6 30th	Tot Yds/Gms	342.8 18th

INJURY REPORT

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
PLAYER	POS	INJURY	STATUS
Mike Hart	RB	Ankle	Out
TENNESSEE TITANS
Dave Ball	DE	Knee	Questionable
Tony Brown	DT	Knee	Questionable
Sen’Derrick Marks	DT	Ankle	Questionable
Ryan Mouton	CB	Hamstring	Questionable

COLTS TITAN NFL WEEK 14 GAME PREDICTION
The Titans injuries on defense (2 defensive ends, a defensive tackle and a cornerback questionable) should allow the Colts to move the ball on the ground. That alone will take some pressure off Peyton Manning and make the Colts passing game more effective.

The Titans have only scored six points in its last two games. They haven’t had an offensive touchdown in 13 quarters.

And what are the chances of Peyton Manning having 4 bad games in a row?

The results of this NFL matchup will bring the NFL playoff picture a little bit more in focus.

The NFL pick of the week – take Peyton Manning and the Colts

COLTS 35 TITANS 10

The Atlanta Falcons made believers out of many with a 28-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers down in Florida in NFL Week 13 football action. Atlanta’s impressive win gives them the #1 seed in the NFC playoff race.

Right behind the Falcons are the Chicago Bears (9-3), Philadelphia Eagles and (8-4) and the St. Louis Rams (6-6). The New Orleans Saints (9-3) and the New York Giants (8-4) follow with the best chance at the 2 NFC wildcard spots. Other NFC teams with a good chance at the NFC wildcard are the Green Bay Packers (8-4) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5).

The NFL playoff race continues in week 14 with the Colts taking on the Titans on Thursday, Dec 9.

The complete NFC playoff picture as it stands heading into Week 14 of the NFL football season is as follows:

2010 NFL WEEK 14 NFC PLAYOFF RACE
Seed	Team	Division	Record
1	Atlanta Falcons	South	10-2
2	Chicago Bears	North	9-3
3	Philadelphia Eagles	East	8-4
4	St. Louis Rams	West	6-6
5	New Orleans Saints	South	9-3
6	New York Giants	East	8-4
STILL ALIVE
7	Green Bay Packers	North	8-4
8	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	South	7-5
9	Seattle Seahawks	West	6-6
10	Minnesota Vikings	North	5-7
11	Washington Redskins	East	5-7
12	Dallas Cowboys	East	4-8
13	San Francisco 49ers	West	4-8
14	Arizona Cardinals	West	3-9
ELIMINATED
15	Detroit Lions	North	2-10
16	Carolina Panthers	South	1-11

Check out the Week 14 AFC Playoff Race

sources: cbssports.com, foxsports.com, New York Daily News

http://thenflthisweek.com/2010-nfl-football-week-14-afc-playoff-race/